If there were ever one area of a country that ignited a passion and fierce pride in the majority of that country’s citizens, no matter where they live, it is the Outback of Australia. Arid and unforgiving, it speaks to people like no other place on earth.

The Outback is a land unto itself…wild and rugged. It is an environment where the saying “only the strong survive” holds true. To say that the land is barren is not really true. It is woven deeply in the tapestry of Maori history and that of the country as a whole. The treasures that it holds are, aside from gods and opals, in its landscapes and the adaptable creatures, human and animal alike, that inhabit it.

Dramatic, uncompromising rock faces rise from the ground to meet the sky; feral camels and donkeys roam the vast tracts of desolate land; fossils from long ago Ages; and people that have carved out their lives in this area all ignite the imagination of visitors. Places like Ayers Rock (Uluru), Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, and Katherine Gorge attract visitors like iron filings to a magnet. The draw is irresistible.

Uluru holds deep spiritual meaning to the Maori and is a place of reverence. The red stone sandstone outcropping rising majestically from the earth is one of Australia’s most recognizable landmarks. Many know it as the site where, in 1980, a 9-week-old baby was taken by dingoes. Authorities were convinced that the mother, Lindy Chamberlain, had killed the child. Subsequently she was incarcerated until experts testified that there was indeed evidence that dingoes did snatch the child.

Coober Pedy and Alice Springs are just two of the unique settlements that are scattered throughout the Outback. Both attract a large number of visitors each year. Coober Pedy is an opal-mining town with the distinction of being largely below ground as an adaptive measure to help residents beat the extreme heat. Historic Alice Springs, the second largest city in the Northern Territory, offers visitors a widely diverse range of attractions and activities from the usually dry regatta on the Todd River and the desert gardens to hiking in the stunning MacDonnell mountain range.

There are so many places in the Outback that are intriguing that it is difficult to pick just a few to highlight. The national parks and Heritage Sites are beautiful and time should be spent exploring them. Weather within the Outback runs the gauntlet from arid to flooding rains and extreme heat in the day to cold nights. There are only a few that can living in this punishing environment.

You could spend weeks in the Outback and not see everything that appeals to you so, when you plan your trip, set your itinerary in advance to maximize your time there. This wonderful area of Australia will call you back time after time.

Great surf in the coastal waters around the world attracts surfers like iron filings to a magnet. Each surfer is seeking that perfect wave. That one wave that they can ride forever. The coasts of Australia produce some of the best surf in the world. Many world-class events are held in the surfing meccas scattered along the coast of this spectacular country.

Moviemakers from around the world have been attracted the incredible surf in some of these locales. For instance, Bells Beach was one of the locations selected for the filming of the movie “The Endless Summer”. Home to the long running Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival, Bells Beach has attracted surfers for decades with its incredible surf.

When Bells Beach is flat, competitions are sometimes moved to the small town of Johanna. The surf at Johanna is known for its power and is held in high regard by experienced surfers. Swells that miss Bells Beach are often picked up at Johanna.

Surrounded by water on three sides, the popular seaside resort of Manly provides terrific surf for all levels of surfers. A scant 13 km from Sydney, this beautiful resort town has a stunning 18 beaches in the immediate area. At any time you are likely to see longboarders, shortboarders, boogie boarders, knee boarders and body surfers taking to the water. Surfers from Sydney flock to this beach to fulfill their thirst for great waves.

Lying between Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta sits Queensland’s most southern beach. Burleigh Heads attracts droves of surfers with its powerful surf, sandy bottom, and incredible beach. The windier it is, the more water gets funneled into the bay creating even more powerful waves so experience is a necessity in these waters.

Drive just an hour and a half north of Brisebane and you will find that the beaches along the Noosa National Park coastline provide great opportunities to catch that perfect wave. Beginning at Sunshine Beach and running about 12kms, there are some great breaks. Most suitable for the novice is Noosa Beach with its gentler waves and sand bottom. Experienced surfers often head for the Boiling Pot with its rock-strewn bottom, waves that rise as high as 4 meters if the wind is right, and rides as long as 300 meters.

Literally hundreds of surf spots dot the coast of this island country. Whether you are an expert surfer or a novice, you will find the perfect surf for your experience level along these stunning coasts.

Just 110 km up the coast from Adelaide, the third largest island in Australia sits 16km off of the shore. Kangaroo Island is an incredible world away from the mainland and can’t be fully enjoyed in a day or two. Exploring this treasure with its 26 designated parks, reserves and protected areas will take an extended visit. Its few towns and small population leave a huge area untouched. If you only have a few days, decide your itinerary before you go so that no time is wasted.

With a temperate climate throughout it, stunning landscapes and miles of untouched wilderness; it is no wonder that Kangaroo Island holds a magical appeal to visitors. Accessible by plane or ferry, there is a wide range of accommodation options for visitors, from rough camping to luxury.

The largest of the parks on the island, Flinders Chase National Park occupies 17% of the island and surrounds Ravine de Casoars Wilderness Protection Area. On the western end of Kangaroo Island, the cliffs were long the cause of shipwrecks before two lighthouses were constructed in Cape Du Couedic, within Flinders National Park, & Cape Borda. Although these lighthouses are isolated, they are accessible and many visitors are drawn to the rugged, wild coast. Weir’s Cove, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks are all contained within the park.

Set on Cape Bouguer, not only does Kelly Hill Conservation Park have terrific walking trails but also it is home to a magnificent network of limestone caves, the Kelly Hill Caves. Carved deep into the limestone, these caves hold a wealth of treasures. The spectacular stalagmites and stalactites; as well as the trove of fossils from animals that once lived, and currently live, on the island make the Kelly Hill Caves a wonderful place to explore.

The rare Australian Sea Lions live in a very large colony at Seal Bay. This colony is calculated to be about 10% of the world’s sea lion population. The accessibility of the sea lions allows visitors to get amazingly close to these creatures on guided tours. This amazing sanctuary was created in 1954 and the population of seals that breed here has exploded. Swimming and Fishing are strictly prohibited here so don’t be tempted.

Just off the treacherous coast of Kangaroo Island are a number of wrecks. Some of the wrecks took many lives and others took none. Three operating lighthouses make sure that dark chapter of the island’s mariner history does not repeat itself.

Agriculture, fishing, and tourism are the economic mainstays of Kangaroo Island. One restriction that visitors must adhere to is that they can bring no honey products or import bees. The island is home to the world’s only pure strain of Ligurian bees and they intend to keep it that way. It is also home to the only distillery of eucalyptus oil in South Australia.

Kangaroo Island is a multi-faceted island with delightful discoveries around every corner. It is a place you can immerse yourself in and you won’t ever want to leave.

Hidden away a short 35km from Brisbane is one of Australia’s natural jewels, one of the world’s largest sand islands. The destination, spectacular Moreton Island, is an interesting 75-minute ferry ride from the Port of Brisbane but ultimately worth the journey. This is truly one of nature’s most stunning wonders.

Formed over approximately 6000 years ago, Moreton Island is a natural sand island located in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Recognized as an ecologically sensitive area, The Moreton Island National Park was created in 1966 and encompasses 98% of the island.

A wide variety of vegetation, wildlife and marine life call the island, and its surrounding waters home. This diversity makes the virtually untouched island an extremely popular destination for those seeking to be close to nature. There are four “towns” or settlements on the island therefore there are accommodations and tours available.

One of the most delightful activities that you can participate in occurs in the evening at the Tangalooma Resort. Wild dolphins come in to a feeding area in order to get fish from hands of guests. The experts determine how many people can take part in the feeding and the others watch from the jetty. Although the time that you get to spend with the dolphins is short, it is an exhilarating interactive experience.

Whale watching tours are becoming increasingly popular in this area. Tour companies take you out to see the majestic humpback whales at play during “whale season”, May to October. During the tours, a knowledgeable commentator will inform you about these amazing mammals. If you are fortunate, the whales will be performing their aquatic aerobics near the boat. The sight of a monstrous creature rising out of the ocean with apparent ease leaves you in awe of their power and grace.

You will see 4WD vehicles on Moreton Island and there are some great opportunities to see the island that way. The vehicles must have a permit before they are allowed on the island and there are areas where they are not allowed. If you drive, do remember that this beautiful area should be treated with respect and refrain from traveling off-road with wild abandon.

Camping on Moreton Island and hiking through the wonderful terrain is an excellent vacation. Permits for camping are available only on the mainland so be sure to get the permit before heading off on your vacation.

This island has so much to do and see that a day trip just won’t allow you to see it all. It is home to Mt Tempest, which at 280m, is reputed to be the world’s highest sand dune; Cape Moreton lighthouse constructed in 1857; the Blue Lagoon, the most accessible perched lake on the island; and about 40km of incredible beaches that tantalize and beckon to those that see them.

More than a half million visitors a year flock to this gorgeous coastal area. Surfers, wine aficionados, cave explorers, whale watchers and eco-tourists alike are drawn like moths to a flame by the incredible opportunities offered in this region. An easy three-hour drive from Perth brings you to this breathtaking region with its Mediterranean type climate.

This surfer’s paradise stretches over 130 km of incredible coastline and produces some of the most consistent, high quality waves found anywhere. Thirty years or so ago, this area was mainly dairy farms that were struggling. Once the surfers discovered the magnificent breaks offering a range of difficulty from novice to advanced, they started coming to the area in droves.

As wine growing techniques and knowledge got more advanced, a substantial planting was done in 1967 and the wine business has grown steadily ever since. This region is the largest geographic wine area in Australia with more than 5500 ha planted in vines. The 120+ wine producers in the Margaret River Wine Region account for about 20% of Australia’s premium wines however just 3% of the country’s wine is produced here. That is quite an accomplishment for one of the newer wine regions.

For those that are staying for an extended period and are looking for a variety of things to do, whale watching in this area is spectacular. From June to September, Augusta’s Flinders Bay provides an excellent opportunity to experience the unique opportunity of watching Humpback whales and South Right whales interacting. Geographe Bay in the north of the region offers great whale watching between September and December. Blue whales, another endangered species, have been seen visiting these waters. Watching these graceful, endangered mammals is truly magical.

Exploring caves is another activity that will captivate you. More than 150 stunning caves lie under towering Karri forest. These cave develop with the rapid drainage of underground water. Many of the caves have an almost mystical quality. Mammoth Cave, Jewel Cave and Lake Cave are just three of the caves that will transport you into a magical world that exists only in each cave. In each of these caves, the name is very appropriate. The incredible size of Mammoth Cave and the presence of so many fossils will astound you. Lake Cave’s lake, amazing light and the calcite formation called Suspended Table will take your breath away. Jewel Cave has stunning formations and it is a rare jewel among tourist caves.

Margaret River has all of this and so much more. A holiday destination that is well worth a visit, you will find your days filled with wonder and awe as you enjoy all that the region offers.

Nothing is more restful than a drive through wine country no matter where it is. The vast vineyards of thick twisted vines, the usually flat or rolling hills of the countryside and the sunny weather makes for a pleasant view. All of this and the added pleasure of stopping in to taste the products of the various wineries makes touring wine country a very appealing day trip. Make sure that there is a designated driver with you as it is easy to over-indulge without realizing it or go on commercial wine tasting tours and leave the driving to someone else.

About 2 hours north of Sydney lays the fertile Hunter Valley and its abundance of world-class wineries. Those wineries are a huge tourist magnet and, in turn, have presented a great opportunity for impressive boutique wineries to easily market themselves to an international market.

The gently rolling hills and nutrient rich flats of Hunter Valley in New South Wales makes it almost perfect wine country. These two features, combined with the climate, the terrain and close proximity to Sydney Cove, led to the area being a desirable area for vineyards as early as 1831. This establishes it as Australia’s oldest wine region and makes it historically important.

Unofficially Hunter Valley is divided into two areas, Lower and Upper Hunter Valley. The largest concentration of vineyards and wineries is in the Lower Fraser Valley near Cessnock and Pokolbin. More that 70 wineries are spread through the valley and visiting them all is impossible to do in one or two days. Plan on spending a leisurely week in this beautiful area to experience all that it has to offer.

A few wineries that should be on your list to visit are:

Pepper Tree is nestled into the Brokenback Range’s foothills and has vineyards that cover roughly 39 ha. Their knowledgeable Chief Winemaker and their fine grapes combine to produce a range of wines that includes award-winning Shiraz and Chardonnay wines. They also offer specialized merchandise such as food condiments, clothing and wine accessories.

Another winery worth visiting is Ernest Hill Winery. Originally planted in the late 60’s and early 70’s, this winery has about 10 ha covered in vines and consistently produces a variety of award winning wines. Visitors can stroll around and then partake in a wine tasting with one of the Wilson family members.

Established in 1866, the Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard produces some of the finest wines in Hunter Valley. Their knowledgeable Cellar Door staff is very personable, thereby making your visit quite enjoyable. In addition, a museum has been opened in the original winery. Some original winemaking equipment has been preserved and is on display for visitors to see.

No trip to Hunter Valley would be complete without stopping at the Smelly Cheese Shop. Set in the village of Pokolbin, this 4-year-old shop has grown in leaps and bounds. Without a doubt, it is a gourmands delight. The shop has quickly become a favorite of visitors and has opened a second location at Tempus Two Winery. You can’t fail to find something that pleases you among their wide range of product.

There is much to be expected if you plan to make a trip to the great Outback. You are surely bound to discover a huge array of astonishing surprises. Many of these surprises are quite hard to miss because of their size. Even from a distance these big things make an appearance.

There is a collection of ordinary objects that were built in gigantic scales making them easy to find. This collection is called The Big Things in Australia. They are usually located in quaint little towns here and there all over Australia and with their gracious size, they should be hard to miss. Here is what you can be expected to find amongst the Big Things in Australia:

When near Coffs Harbor, you can find the Big Banana. This structure serves as a highway landmark but was one of the first to be included in the Big Things in Australia collection.

You won’t be able to miss the Big Cow that is located on the left of the Eumundi Rd. north of Nambour, Queensland. Grab your camera and be careful as like you, most motorist slow down or stop to take a quick shot of this impressive structure. At one time, you were able to see the Big Egg, it used to sit on the top of the Happy Hen’s Complex when driving through Victoria. This was later removed after persistent protestors argued and won.

From Dodswell Bridge you will see an image often associated with Australia, the Big Koala. Yep, you guessed it; the figure serves as a focal point for a souvenir shop. It was a smart choice on the part of the owner because, this structure has caught the attention of both locals and tourist making business boom.

Now, on the northern entrance to Kingston in South Australia, you will find another of the earlier additions to the Big Things in Australia collection. That would be the Big Lobster. There has been a motel and café built around the structure to also draw in tourist. The Murray Cod is a local favorite in Australia. So, as you can imagine, you will find The Big Cod at Swan Hill on the northwestern side of Victoria.

The actually list of the Big Things in Australia collection is quiet long. But now that you know a few of the items, head out and see which ones you can find!

Most native Aussies will be readily able to provide you with a large number of the Big Things will little effort. The Australian population has taken quite an interest in these enormous objects. Have these structures taken anything away from Australia? Well, that is debatable amongst the locals here. Either way, the huge images demand attention and are an effective marketing tool for the small town shops that once were not so popular.

Australia, the great continent and country, has a great number of outdoor adventures just waiting for you. This is an experience you can’t resist. Take the first step and excitement will follow. You can run, hike, dive or swim. Take your pick and enchant yourself of the adventure you never thought possible. The Australian outdoors’ are calling your name.

Australian outdoor fun means surfing, scuba diving, or simply lying on the sand with your suntan lotion and a good book. Australia has plenty of beaches for both tourists and locals alike. While there you might even water ski—big waves and clear warm water makes for the perfect environment. In Sydney, the famous Bondi beach challenges visitor to conquer its gorgeous stretch of shoreline. Surfing at Bondi can be an adventure for both veterans and beginners. Bells beach in Victoria is another must see for wave lovers and scuba divers. Underwater adventures are ones you will remember forever when you explore the colorful marine life and the world famous Australian reefs. If you like to stay closer to the surface, snorkeling is good way to enjoy life at sea.

Taking a trip to the country is a great way to experience Australia. You can hike your way all the way up the mountain ridges of Australian outback. Be impressed by strange and interesting rock formations, or better still be amazed by the famous Wave Rock at Farmstay Country. Delight in the colors and smells of blossoming wildflowers a long the way, or the sight of leaping kangaroos entertaining their young. A day in the Australian outback will be a day you hope will never end, and it will keep you coming back for more. Thankfully, the outback is bigger than you could possibly imagine.

For those who love the city life, Australia will not disappoint. There are plenty of shopping centers, department stores and giant malls. And if city culture is what you want, you might explore the many city libraries and national museums. After a long day on your feet in the city of your choice, a satisfying meal may be found in any of the countless restaurants that line the streets. Australians like their meals with wine and cheese, but you can leave the beret.

An Australian vacation will be an unforgettable journey which will create lifelong memories places seen, people met and activities enjoyed. All you have to do is book the trip. Australia is waiting.